Hail Loss Playbook

What you'll learn

The size that matters. Bruising vs penetration. Per-shingle math. Carrier playbook + counters.

5.4.1 Hail loss in FL — less common, often denied

FL hail less frequent than Midwest, but happens. Often denied or under-scoped because:

Hail damage looks like wear-and-tear
Damage often hidden (under shingle granules)
Carriers rarely deploy hail experts
Industry pricing assumes infrequency

Strategy: Treat hail claim as an evidence-heavy fight. Carrier defaults to denial. You overcome with documentation + experts.

5.4.2 Hail size + damage threshold

Hail size	Typical damage
Pea (¼")	None to light cosmetic
Marble (½")	Soft metals (vents, flashing), some shingle bruising
Penny (¾")	Asphalt shingle damage, soft metals, potential roof
Quarter (1")	Threshold for full roof claim in many cases
Half-dollar (1¼")	Definite roof + soft metal damage
Golf ball (1¾")	Significant damage, replacement likely
Tennis ball (2½")	Catastrophic

Industry threshold: Generally 1" hail = roof replacement justifiable. Under 1" = repair-only often.

Strategy

Verify hail size at incident (NOAA, weather records)
Hailpad analysis if possible
Witness statements
Compare neighbor property damage

5.4.3 Bruising vs penetration

Bruising

Hail strikes shingle, removes granules, exposes asphalt mat. Damage may not be visible immediately. Asphalt UV-degrades over months → leaks.

Penetration

Hail breaks shingle / decking. Immediate water intrusion. Easy to identify.

Hidden bruising — the carrier game

Carrier sends adjuster who finds "no visible damage." Shingles look fine. Carrier denies.

Counter

Roofer inspection with marking on each shingle showing impact
Granule loss assessment — mat exposed = damage
Test patches — cut squares of shingle for lab analysis
Manufacturer specs — what manufacturer considers damaged

5.4.4 The per-shingle math fight

Carrier strategy

"15 shingles damaged. Replace 15 shingles. Repair, don't replace roof."

Counter strategy

Hail strikes are typically uniform across roof — random distribution
Manufacturer specs say no patching after hail — full replacement required
Matching statute § 626.9744 — new shingles won't match
Continuous surface = full slope, not patches
Industry standards (NRCA, ASTM) — patching defective on hail-damaged roofs

The 25% rule (current FL)

If 25%+ of roof slope damaged → full replacement required by law. Often where the fight focuses.

5.4.5 Soft metals — the easier fight

Hail dents:

Vents
Pipe flashing
Ridge caps
Gutters
HVAC condenser fins
Skylights
Window screens
Vehicles (separate auto claim)

Soft metals harder for carrier to deny — visual evidence clear. Use as anchor for the harder roof argument.

5.4.6 The hail claim workflow

Day 1-3: Document

Photo + video before any cleanup
Hail measurements (rulers / coins for scale)
Witness statements
Gather weather data
Small hailstones (frozen? store in freezer)

Day 1-14: Inspection

Hire roofer for inspection w/ photos
Mark each impact on roof
Check soft metals
Check decking / underlayment
Check vehicle if outdoor
Check siding, windows, screens

Day 14-30: Engineer / inspector

Independent roofing expert if disputed
Manufacturer spec reference
Lab testing if warranted (granule analysis)

Day 30-60: Negotiation

Independent estimate ready
Specific rebuttal
Manufacturer specs cited

Day 60+: Escalation

Reinspection
Mediation
Appraisal
Litigation if denied

5.4.7 Common scope items

Item	Typical
Roof shingles + underlayment	Full slope or full replacement
Decking if penetration	Full or partial sections
Soft metals (vents, flashing, gutters)	Replace
Roofing felt / synthetic	Replace
Insulation if water intrusion	Replace damaged
HVAC condenser	Repair or replace fins
Skylights	Replace if damaged
Siding	If hail-impacted
Window screens	Replace
Pool cage screens	Replace
Vehicles	Separate auto claim
Code upgrades	If full roof replaced
Matching	Full slope per § 626.9744

5.4.8 Documentation essentials

Item	Why
NOAA / weather data	Verifies hail event size
Time-stamped photos	Damage at time of inspection
Roofer marking each impact	Evidence of multiple strikes
Manufacturer specs	What constitutes damage
Hailpad if available	Direct measurement
Witness statements	Independent corroboration
Comparative neighbor damage	Pattern evidence
Granule loss measurements	Quantifies damage

5.4.9 Carrier tactics + counters

Carrier tactic	Counter
"No visible damage"	Roofer inspection w/ markings
"Hail too small"	NOAA data + size verification
"Damage is wear, not hail"	Date stamps + neighbor pattern
"15 shingles, repair only"	Manufacturer specs + matching
"Roof too old, fully depreciated"	Useful life analysis
"ACV-only roof endorsement"	Read endorsement carefully
"Hail not reported within window"	1-year statute (post-SB 2A)
"Other recent storms caused damage"	Specific date attribution

5.4.10 Common settlement gaps

Soft metals undercounted
Decking not inspected
Hidden bruising ignored
Matching disputes not invoked
Pre-existing depreciation overstated
Code upgrades missed
HVAC condenser ignored (often substantial)
Skylights missed
ALE if leaks during reconstruction
Mitigation for water intrusion post-event

5.4.11 Action steps

Day 1: Photo + video + hail size verification.
Day 1-14: Roofer inspection w/ each impact marked.
Day 14-30: Independent expert if disputed.
Day 30-60: Independent estimate + manufacturer specs.
Day 60+: Negotiation, mediation, appraisal.
Soft metals first — anchor the harder roof fight.
25% threshold — track for full replacement trigger.
Matching statute — invoke for full slope replacement.

Next module: 5.5 Smoke Loss Playbook.

Educational. Not legal advice. Specific hail claim handling consults licensed FL professionals.